The 11 essential things to do in the Baux-de-Provence

Would you like to visit the Baux-de-Provence? Then discover the 11 things to do in this most beautiful village of France!

Perched on a rocky grove, the village of Baux-de-Provence is ranked among the most beautiful in France. After all, he has an incredibly rich heritage, whose citadel is the organ. Located in the Alpilles massif, the village is also surrounded by beautiful landscapes, which you will have leisure to admire through your walks in the village. Are you planning to discover this beautiful village? Then you will find in this article the 11 essential things to visit the Baux-de-Provence!

1. The Château des Baux-de-Provence

If there is a must to visit in the Baux-de-Provence, it is his Château. Located on a rocky bar on the southern side of the Alpilles, it is one of the oldest feudal establishments in Europe!

During your visit, you can admire a part of the enclosure and a few tours, such as the tower of the Bannes, the Sarrazine tower, the Parravelle tower. You can also explore the dungeon, its contiguous buildings and the old chapel of Sainte-Catherine. Dominating the village, you will enjoy a wonderful view of the Alpilles and the beautiful Provencal countryside around!

2. The Church of Saint Vincent

Built between the 12th and 16th centuries, the church of Saint Vincent is the parish church of the village of Baux-de-Provence. Romanesque style, it is partly dug into the rock.

If you’re visiting Les Baux-de-Provence, don’t miss admiring its interior. You will discover the modern windows of Max Ingrand, offered by Prince Rainier III of Monaco in 1962.

3. The Musée des santons

Located in the former guard body of the 16th century, this museum gathers collections of santons from the 17th century to the present day. The santons of Provence are obviously the most numerous. But the museum also presents Neapolitan santons and 19th century church santons, from the monastery of Avignon’s Carmelites. This museum is one of the must-sees to make in the Baux de Provence, make a tour during your stay!

4. The Eyguières Gate

This "Water Gate" was once the only barracks in the village.

Until 1866, it was the only access to the village. The inhabitants went there to search for water at Vallon de la Fontaine.

5. Hotel de Porcelet – Yves Brayer Museum

Dating from the 16th century, this particular hotel was one of the most prestigious noble families in Provence. Today it houses a museum dedicated to Yves Brayer . This illustrious painter, illustrator and decorator of French theatre has notably decorated the chapel of the White Pénitents.

If you are visiting Les Baux-de-Provence, you should not miss discovering this museum, just like the chapel.

6. La Chapelle des Pénitents Blancs

As mentioned above, this chapel is a must-see in the Baux de Provence. You can admire a sublime fresco by Yves Brayer, which dates back to 1974. The latter represents the Christmas of the Shepherds in the Provencal tradition.

As for the church, it is on the edge of the cliff overlooking the Vallon de la Fontaine. Built in the 17th century by the Confrérie des Pénitents Blancs, it was raised from its ruins in 1937 by the Confréries de Langue d’Oc.

7. Hotel Jean de Brion – Fondation Louis Jou

Master typographer, engraver, printer and publisher of talent, Louis Jou is one of the pioneering artists of the city. This Renaissance Hotel Jean de Brion was thus harmoniously restored by this talented artist. It has thus contributed to the conservation of the village and its new renaissance.

This museum, one of the must-sees to do at the Baux-de-Provence, exposes some of its most beautiful works. Don't miss visiting him!

8. Le Pavillon de la Reine Jeanne

In the Vallon de la Fontaine, near the old washroom, you will find this elegant Renaissance style corner pavilion. It was built by Jeanne de Quiqueran, wife of Honoré des Martins, Baron des Baux from 1568 to 1581. He once decorated a garden belonging to the Bals family.

Enjoy this visit to rest in the shade of the surrounding trees.

9. The Careers of Lights

If you're visiting Les Baux-de-Provence, you can't miss a tour in these Careers of Lights. Located in the Val d’Enfer, these monumental limestone quarries host immersive exhibitions. Representations of masterpieces are thus projected on the immense walls, pillars and soils of the career.

You will then be transported in colorful worlds, and in music!

10. The Tremaiah and the Gaiah

Located at the foot of the rocky spur and the Château des Baux, the Trémaïa and the Gaïé are funeral stele. You will find a charming little trail of garrigue.

You can then contemplate the stele of the Gaïa, which represents two characters half-body, dressed in the toge. The second offers a bas-relief of the Three Marys, "Tre Maire" in Provencal: Jacobé, Salomé and Sarah.

11. Hiking in the Alpilles

With a wide variety of landscapes, the Alpilles Regional Natural Park is the ideal playground for family walks or long hikes. A proud and wild land, typically Provencal, reveals a mosaic of natural environments: garrigues, forests, cliffs, marshes or cultures.

Variety of environments, wealth of fauna and flora, this territory will seduce nature lovers. You will also discover millennial terroirs, a strong and rich culture and identity.

How to go to the Baux-de-Provence?

Located between Lubéron and Camargue, Les Baux-de-Provence is only 3 hours from Paris or Toulouse , 1 hour 30 from Lyon or Var, and an hour from Marseille or Aix-en-Provence by train. Cities of Arles and d Avignon are also a few steps from this most beautiful village in France.

Note that the Aéroport Marseille Provence is the nearest airport to the Baux-de-Provence.

By car

To visit Les Baux-de-Provence, you can take the following routes:

• D’Avignon, take the A7 motorway then it exit 24,
• From Marseille, follow the A7 motorway towards Lyon, then theA54 direction Arles, take the exit 11,
• From Nîmes, take the highway A9 then the A54 direction Arles, and finally the exit 7.

On site you will find numerous paid parking lots (5€ per hour, 7€ per four hours, 9€ per eight hours).

By bus

From July 4 to August 31, 2020, you can take the line 57 : Avignon – Saint-Rémy – Les Baux – Arles. The lines 29 , 54 and 57 (Zou!) serve the Baux the rest of the year.

By train

You can stop at the Avignon or Arles station from all the cities mentioned above: Marseille, Lyon, Toulouse, Montpellier, Paris.

You can then take the bus or taxi, find a car or rent a car to join and visit Les Baux-de-Provence.

Where to stay at the Baux-de-Provence?

If you plan to visit Les Baux-de-Provence, you will necessarily ask where to stay. Fortunately, the accommodation options are not missing in this most beautiful village in France. Many are hotels or holiday homes for all budgets to have elected domicile in the commune or its surroundings.

You can also opt for a pitch in a campsite, or a place to stay at home thanks to Airbnb .

You know everything, you just have to pack your bags to visit the Baux-de-Provence!